June 4, 2012

Spicy Chicken and Pepper Jack Pizza


This pizza quickly caught my attention, because I love every single ingredient involved.  Well, at least I love all of those ingredients in tacos?  But a pizza, sounds interesting.  It uses salsa in the same way you would pizza sauce and is topped with peppers, shredded chicken and spicy Pepper Jack cheese (which I absolutely love) and you finish it all off with chopped cilantro.  I love spicy things and I thought this was just right.  The Pepper Jack cheese has a little kick to it, but the rest of the spice is going to depend on the salsa you use.  
I really liked how it turned out and I would make it again, but next time I want to try it with some kind of creamy white garlicky sauce in addition to the salsa.  I think that would make this an AMAZING gourmet pizza.  If anyone has a recipe for a creamy white pizza sauce (not alfredo) please send it my way.      
Spicy Chicken and Pepper Jack Pizza
(Printable Recipe)
**These measurements are estimates.  Depending on the size of pizza you make, you may want to adjust the ingredients to your desired taste.
1 batch pizza dough
3/4 - 1 c. homemade salsa
1/2 - 3/4 c. diced red and/or green bell pepper 
1 1/2 c. cooked chicken, shredded 
2 c. Pepper Jack cheese, grated
chopped cilantro, for garnish

On a lightly floured surface, roll out pizza dough into desired size.  I roll the dough fairly thin, because it puffs up a lot while baking.  Transfer dough to a greased baking sheet.  Bake in a 425 degree preheated oven for 8 minutes.  Remove from oven and top dough with an even layer of salsa (like you would pizza sauce), diced peppers and shredded chicken.  Then, sprinkle cheese evenly over the top.  Return to oven and bake another 10-12 minutes or until crust is browned and cheese is melted and bubbly.  Remove from oven, garnish with chopped cilantro, slice and serve.  

If using a pizza stone (What I do):  Place pizza stone in a cold oven. Preheat to 500 degrees.  Meanwhile, on a lightly floured surface, roll out pizza dough into desired size.  I roll the dough fairly thin, because it puffs up a lot while baking.  Transfer dough to a pizza peel that has been lightly dusted with cornmeal (this is so the pizza will slide off easily).  Spread salsa evenly over pizza dough (like you would pizza sauce).  Then, top with chopped bell peppers and shredded chicken.  Last, sprinkle cheese evenly over the top.  Transfer pizza from pizza peel onto preheated pizza stone and turn the oven temperature down to 425 degrees.  Bake for 10-15 minutes or until crust is nicely browned and cheese is melted and bubbly.  Very carefully, using a spatula, slide pizza back onto pizza peel, garnish with chopped cilantro, slice and serve.   

Jenn's Notes: I baked my chicken with a few dashes of Worcestershire and hot sauce and sprinkled with some Italian seasoning.  


Slightly adapted from: Baking with Blondie    

16 comments:

  1. I love homemade pizza..they look so pretty.

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  2. I love new pizza recipes and this one sounds beyond amazing!

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  3. Would I like to have a slice or two of this? Heck yeah!!!!

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  4. We LOVE spicy in our house, and pepper-jack is a staple! I am going to have to try this recipe for sure! Thanks for sharing it!
    -Kylie
    absolutelyarkansas.blogspot.com

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  5. This really looks good! Can't wait to try it.
    I'm glad I found you through Whipperberry Friday Flair Link Party!
    Stop by a visit me if you get a chance!
    Thanks for the great recipe!
    Lisa H.
    lisastuf.blogspot.com

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  6. This looks delicious! I will have to try this out soon. Megan

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  7. This pizza sounds great! I make homemade pizza and I think my family would like this one!

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  8. This sounds very good!! I will have to try it!!

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  9. Pinning! My family would love this! Thanks so much for sharing at Mom On Timeout!

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  10. Pinning ... my hubby likes all things spicy and I love easy homemade pizza ... SOLD! Thanks for sharing this at the {what's shakin' link party}!!

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  11. What great yummy treats you have here! I love to bake! Not good but enjoy it. New follower from Manic Monday. Love for you to follow back when you get a chance. Hosting a moms monday mingle. Love for you to link up!

    http://naptimeshopper.blogspot.com

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  12. Do you have a good & healthy whole wheat pizza dough that really works?
    thanks!

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    1. At the moment, I do not. I have a few saved that I have been meaning to try, but I haven't had a chance yet. Hopefully soon! - Jenn

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